Louver bund



May 11, 1943. w, I; o Re. 22,311

LOUVER BLIND Original Filed Sept. :50, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

W. L. ROY

LOWER BLIND Original Filed Sept. 30, 1942 May 11, 1943,

. l l l l I l l I ll ulll 9 1 l 4 1 a coon? oooooo I I aoA ea 1943- I w. 1.. ROY Re. 22,311

LOUVBR BLIND Original Filed Sept. so, 1942 a sheats sheet 3 16 9.5. Iiig.8.

aims May 11, 1943 LQUVER BLIND Walter 1.. Boy, Sangria,

control Corporation. Boston,

tion of Massachusetts Original No. 2,305,559, dated December--15, 1942,

Serll-l No. 460,190,

tion for reissue February 16 Claims This invention relates to Venetian or louver blinds and more particularly to an improved blind of this nature adapted to close a window opening or the like toreduce or shut oil the passage of light and the same time permit ample ventilation. While the invention especially concerns blinds for blackout purposes it is not limited theretosince it is frequently desired to diminish light rays and sound waves rather than to eliminate them entirely.

I am aware that it has been heretofore sug- Iested, as in U. 8. Patent 2,059,134, to provide inverted V-shaped lation to trap light rays and at the same time permit ventilation. The primary object of my invention is to produce a novel, relatively simpler and inexpensive blind which will perform the desired functions in greater degree and efliciency.

Preferably my improved blind is constructed of paper or like fabric folded to provide the desired slats or louvers and so formed that the slats can be positioned compactly in flat collapsed relation sound therethroflg a d a Venetian blinds in nested re-' September30,1942. Applioa- 7 Mass, assignmto Life- Mass., at corpora- 20, 1943, Serial No.

shown in the occompany u drawinls in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a window employing my improved blind,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 when not in use and can be drawn out to an extended and nested V-shaped relation when the blind is to be used. The slats are connected directly to each other in a manner permitting free opening and closing thereof, the open relation being effected by extending the blind from its collapsed position by means of cards or the like cooperating with the slats.

In the preferred construction, each slat or louver embodies a strip of suitable material creased longitudinally to form an axis about which the slat can hinge or pivot to inverted V-shaped when extended from collapsed condition. The several slats can be independent strips attached to each other or all the slats can be formed from a single strip folded to produce the several slats integrally connected to each other in a relation permittingfull functioning of the blind. In each case intermediate portions of the slats are perforated to permit ventilation while the slats-so overlap as to trap deaden sound waves. It will be apparent that paper and like fabric absorbs sound waves in large degree and the color of the paper can be such as substantially to out of! any passage of light or diffuse the light in the degrees desired. The production of an improved blind or this nature comprises a further object of the invention.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof selected for purposes of illustration and as Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 2, but showing the blind in collapsed position,

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing a modified form of the invention,

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a strip of material from which the blind is formed,

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2, butshowing a modified construction,

Fig. 8 is a view like Fig. 7, but showing the blind in collapsed position,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing them!!- struction of the blind illustrated in Fig. '1,

Fig. 10 illustrates a modified construction, and

Fig. 11 is an end view showing the construction illustrated in Fig. 19,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary end view of the blind shown in Fig. 10 in extended position,

Fig. 13 is a like view of the blind in collapsed position.

While in the drawings I have illustrated my novel blind in association with a window it will be understood that its use is not to be construed drawings wherein the blind is illustrated as a formed from a single strip of material i6. This light rays and strip [8 can be of any suitable fabric, either paper or treated cloth. 1 preferably employ paper of a sulphite base or kraft type. The strip is of the width of theprop'osed blind andis creased transversely on the lines I8 and IE, it being noted that on one side of each crease line is a panel 20 narrower than the panel 22 on the other side. The panels 22 are also perforated at 24 adjacent to the crease lines i8.

The blind is formed by folding the strip is on the crease lines i8 and I9 in the directions indicated at the bottom of Fig. 6. The first two panels 20 and 22 at the left and at opposite sides of the perforations 24 are folded on the line [9 to the inverted V-shape indicated. The adjacent panels 22 and 20 are folded into face to face conplurality of louvers .or slats pivot axis l9 slat and extending over a tierstood that the method of collapsing and ex- 22 and 20 are folded into face to face contact as indicated. This sequence of folding is followed throughout the length of the strip and the'folds about the lines III are broughtto and adhesively secured in face to face contact. The resulting product when thus folded is illustrated in Fig. 2.

Theblind as thus constructed comprises a integrally connected together. Eachslat comprises two side wall portions 26 hinged together along the crease line l9, one portion being double walled throughout from the axis l9 outwardly and narrower than the other portion which includes the panel portion perforatedat 24 and connecting the two ad- .iacent slats. When the blind is mounted in vertical position as illustrated in Figs. l-4 the slats are adapted to collapse into substantially flat superposed relation with the two walls of each slat in closely adjacent and substantially parallel planes. In fact, the two walls joined at the will be in a common horizontal plane, and the two walls respectively and adhesively attached in face to face contact thereto. above and below, will be in parallel planes directly adjacent to said common plane therebetween. While as illustrated in the drawings, the bottom panel of .the blind is secured to the window sill In as by nails 28, and the blind is adapt ed to be raised by a cord 30 attached to the top sheaf 32, it will be untending the blind can be varied and modified as may seem most eflicient and desirable.

It will be noted (Fig. 2) that the blind comprises two groups of slats with the'slats of one group .arranged alternately with respect to the slats of the other group, and with the slats of each group arranged in vertical alignment and spaced laterally of the other group which. is also in vertical alignment. The pivot axes I9 (apexes 40) of one group .are also in a vertical plane spaced laterally of a vertical plane containing the axes I! of the other slats are recessed at 34 between said planes and vertically extending elements 36, preferably made of paper and impervious to light and attached to the window frame at 38, extend into the recesses 34. These elements serve both to guide the blind and close the ends against passage of light rays. The slats stack automatically into fiat superposed relation when the blind is collapsed and, when the blind is extended, as by the cord III to the position of Fig. 2, the slats pivot about their axes l9 into inverted V shape with the axis apex of each slat located within the re-entrant V recess of the slat thereabove. In such position the passage of light. rays is excluded.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be noted that the outside panel 22 of each side wall extends upwardly beyond the apex 40 thereof and is connected to the next adjacent wall thereabove, these connecting portions of the strip located between the apexes 40 being perforated at 24. The perforations permit ample ventilation through the blind without permitting light rays to pass therethroug'h. It will beapparent that sound:

waves are also trapped and substantially deadened by the blind. A housing 42 open at its bottom portion for receiving the blind in the raised position of Fig. 2 is secured to the top end of the frame, the housing serving to cut oi'i. any light rays that might project over the top of the blind.

In Fig. I have illustrated use of the blind in connection with an ordinary Venetian blind 44.

tian blind in its raised position and an extension thereofis provided at 48 for receiving the top end of the blackout blind 49. A detachable connection is provided at 5|] between the top end of the blind 49 and the bottom end of the Venetian blind. As illustrated, the blind 4$ normally rests in collapsed position. at the bottom of g the window opening. Preferably in a box of the nature illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8. When it is desired to use functioning position.

the blackout blind, it is merely attached to the Venetian blind at 50, whereupon raising of the Venetian blind serves to raise the blind 49 to its It is appreciated that my improved blind can be constructedin numerous ways. For example,

Q strips can befolded to form the double V slats 52,

' two of which are illustrated in Fig. 9. Each of p, 88 fitting group. The ends of the 4 housing 46 is provided for receiving the Venewalls hingediy these slats'comprises a double wall 53 with two single sidewalls 54 and 55. wall comprises one panel in adhesive together The double face to face contact with a portion of anadjacent and wider panel. The latter has a perforated portion continulng on and supporting the panel 55. -The panels 54 are wider thanthe panels 55 and are in face to face adhesive contact therewith at 56 as illustrated inFig. 9. The slats 52 are assembled by stacking them flatly in superposed relation, the

top facespf the panels 55 being adhesively coated whereby to connect the slats together. The blind 58, illustrated in F'igs. 7 and 8, is constructed in this manner.

I also preferably provide a container 50 ported on the window sill for receiving and housing the blind in the collapsed position illustrated in Fig. 8. The container is secured adhesively to the secured adhesively to the container at 62. The top slat 64 is also provided with two side'wings within the housing 68 when the blind is up (Fig.1) and serving together with the top slat as a tight cover for the container when the blind is down (Fig. 8). The housing and .other "parts can be conveniently secured in place by adhesive tape 6!. This blind otherwisefunctions in the same manner as the blind illustrated in Figs. 1-4.

In Figs. 10 and i l I have illustrated another method of constructing the blind in the form of single V slats. Strips are folded to provide two panels Ill and 12 joined along a creased apex axis 14, the panel I0 being a portion perforated at 18.

The narrower panels of the strips are coated adhesively at 16 and the into the alternately and reversely arranged relation illustrated in Fig. ,11. The several slats are thereupon secured together at their adhering faces and in a manner producing the blind illustratedin Fig. 10. v j

The blind has been above described as comprising a plurality of slats each embodying two side connected together. Each of these two side walls simflar to a Venetian blind slat, and for purposes of description the blind can be considered as comprising a plurality of rectangular and parallel slats arranged in two laterally adjacent and parallel groups extending partially into the other group between two slats thereof withina predetermined overlapp ng zone located between the two relatively spaced vertical planes passing through the pivot axes l8. Each slot is attached to the next slat thereabove for hinging movement about an axis supsill and the bottom end of the blind is wider and including The strips are assembled in flat relation as illustrated in Fig. 11.

panels are then stacked is, in fact, a rectangularslat;

with each slat in each groupv in one margin of said zone and has the next arranged in two laterally adjacent groups wherein the slats partially overlap alternately within this zone. Each slat in each group extends partially between two slats of the adjacent group within said zone and is attached for relative hinging movement to said two slats 'on axes ll extending respectively along the lines of intersection of the slatsas illustrated inFig. 12. The two hinge axes 14 of each slat are located respectively along opposite margins Bil and 82 of said zone with all the axes at one margin located in lateral alignment and parallel to the aligned axes at the other margin thereof. The arrangement is such that the 'slats can be collapsed compactly into fiat superposed relation with the slats in face to face contact, as illustrated in Fig. 13, or drawn outwardly into-the extended relation of Fig. 12 during which the relatively adjacent slats hinge about the axes ll to V-shape with each hinge apex portion located within the open reentrant V recess of the next adjacent v-shaped slats thereabove.

My improved blind is preferably made of paper or like soft and inexpensive material which can be conveniently produced in desirable color and texture and readily cut and folded to the blind. forming shape. Such material furthermore has the quality of absorbing light rays and sound waves. While the blind is especially adapted to serve blackout purposes with great efficiency its use is by no means limited to military periods but is likewise very adaptable to peace times. For blackout purposes the blinds will ordinarily be black or of a dark color, whereas, for some peace time uses its color will vary. For example, the invention can be constructed to serve as a partition or screen, either dark or of a color hue, pho- Ill tographic dark room screens in dark or red hue,

and in fact in any location where a screen or draw shade is desirable.

Having thus disclosed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A blind, comprising a plurality of elongated slats in superposed relation vertically, each slat comprising two side walls hinged together on an axis extending longitudinally of the slats and the slats being adapted to collapse'into substantially flat superposed relation with the two walls of each slat in closely adjacent and substantially parallel planes, and means connecting each slat adjacent to and along its said axis to one wall of the slat thereabove along a line parallel with and spaced from its said axis, the slats being adapted each to assume an inverted V-shape with the hinge axis apex of each slat located within the re-entrant v recess of the slat'therei above when the blind is supported by the top slat.

2. The blind defined in claim 1 in which the apex of each slat is connected to one wall of the slat thereabove along a line parallel with and spaced from the apex of the latter.

blind defined in claim 1 in which the 3. The

slats comprise two groups with the slats of one group arranged alternately with respect to the slats in the other group and with the hinge axes of the two groups respectively located in two relatively spaced vertical planes.

4. The blind defined in claim 1 in which the slats have vertically aligned slots extending thereinto at their ends, and fixed vertically extending element impervious to light extending into the slats between said two planes at the two ends of the blind.

6. The blind defined in claim 1 in which the two walls of each slat are integrally connected along a scored line at said axis.

7. A blind, comprising a paper or the like in superposed relation vertically, each slat comprising a strip scored longitudinally thereof and dividing the slat into two parts relatively movable about the scored axis, the slats comprising two groups, with the slats of one group arranged alternately with respect to the slats of the other group, means so connecting the slats that the scored axes of each group remain in a vertical plane spaced from a vertical plane in which the scored axes of the other group are located, and means attached to the top slat for supporting the blind in open position in which the slats assume an inverted V-shape and are relatively cupped in spaced relation. I

8. The blind defined in claim 7 in which a portion of one part of each slat adjacent toits scoring connects that slat with the slat therebeneath.

9. The blind defined in claim 7 in which the slats are a continuous strip of paper or the like folded to produce the slats in integrally connected relation.

10. A blind, comprising a plurality of slats of paper or the like in superposed relation vertically, each slat comprising a strip scored longitudinally thereof and dividing the slat into two parts relatively movable about the scored axis, the slats comprising two groups with the slats of one group arranged alternately with respect to the slats of the other group, the slats of each group being in vertical alignment and spaced laterally of the other group, and one part of each slat from its said axis outwardly being wider than the other part and supporting the next adjacent slat therebeneath in face to face contact therewith.

11. The blind defined in claim 10 in which said next adjacent slat is in face to face contact with the slat thereabove to a position short of the said axis thereof and in which the portion of said slat thereabove between its said axis and the contacted portion is perforated to permit ventilation.

12. A blind comprising a plurality of elongated slats in superposed relation vertically, a container at the bottom of the blind for receiving the slats in collapsed position thereinto, means for raising the blind to open position from the container, the top slat being adapted to rest on and cover the container .when the blind is collapsed thereinto, and side wings carried by the top slat and adapted to fit over and extend downwardly along the side walls of the container.

13. A blind, comprising a plurality of strips of paper or the like each folded transversely thereplurality of slats of across intermediately of two opposite ends and I having portions thereof adjacent; to the fold line in adhesive face to face contact, one remaining end portion of the strip being creased'thereacross on a pivotalline adjacent to its said adhesive contacting portion, the other remaining end portion of the strip being creased thereacross on a pivotal line beyond its said adhesive contacting portion, the first remaining end portions beyond its crease line being wider than the second remaining end portion beyond its crease line, and the said remaining end being adhesively attached in face to face contact with like portions of adjacent strips whereby providing a blind comprising a plurality of said folded and creased strips.

14. A blind, comprising a plurality of strips of paper or the like each creased thereacross on a straight line providing two panels at opposite sides of the line, one panel being wider than the portions of each strip other panel, said strips being stacked in superposed relation with the narrower panels located I alternately at opposite sides of the stack, and means securing. the narrower panels in face to face contact with the free outer portions of the wider panels.

15. A blind adapted to hang vertically in a window opening, comprising a plurality of rectangular and parallel slats arranged in two laterally adjacent and parallel groups with the slats of each group extending partially into the other group within a predetermined overlapping zone,

the slats of the two groups being alternately arranged in said zone and each slat being attached to the adjacent slat thereabove for hinging moveaasn I ment about an axis in one ,margin of said zone,

and means for supporting the blindvertically with the slats extending horizontally and either collapsed compactly into flat superposed relation with the slats in stacked face to face contact or drawn outwardly into extended relation during which the relatively adjacent slats hinge about opposite margins of said zone to V-shape with each hinge apex portion located within the reentrant V recess of the next adjacent V-shaped slats thereabove.

16. A blind comprising twogroups of elongated slats partially overlapping uniformly along their adjacent side edge portions within a predetermined zone, the slats comprised in each group being in lateral face to face alignment and the two groups being relatively adjacent and parallel with each slat in each group extending partially into the other'group between two slats thereof within said zone and attached for relative hinging movement to said two slats respectlvely along the lines of intersection therewith, the two hinge axes of each slat being located respectively along opposite margins of said zone with all the axes at on margin being in lateral alignment and parallel to the aligned axes at the other margin thereof, the arrangement being such that the slats can be collapsed compactly into fiat superposed relation with the slats in face to face contact or drawn outwardly into extended relation during which the relatively adjacent slats hinge about said axes to V-shape with each hinge apex portion located within the re-entrant V recess of the next adjacent V-shaped slats.

' WALTER. L. ROY. 

